If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

I think this is the first time ever I haven't been able to think of a dream off-season. I think the main problem is I really want us to get a third baseman as well as keep Bourjos, but I'm having trouble seeing how either of those is possible. Here's what I realistically think will happen (non specific):

despite adding albert pujols and c.j. Wilson last winter and enjoying a legendary rookie season from mike trout, the angels will miss the playoffs for the third straight year. Here are a few notes from anaheim as the halos are already looking ahead to offseason business...

Ervin santana is prepared for the possibility of the angels declining his 2013 option, reports mike digiovanna of the los angeles times. "it would be tough to not come back here because i've known my teammates for a long time, and we have a good relationship," santana said. "at the same time, it might be time to move on and try different things...if that happens, it happens. I'm not worried about it." the angels are reportedly planning to decline their club options on santana ($13mm) and dan haren ($15.5mm) in order to free up resources for re-signing zack greinke.

Both chris iannetta and gm jerry dipoto tell mlb.com's alden gonzalez (twitter link) that they're interested in iannetta being an angel in 2013. Iannetta's $5mm option for 2013 became a mutual option once the catcher was traded from colorado to los angeles last november. The halos can buy out iannetta's option for $250k.

Also from dipoto (via gonzalez on twitter), the angels will be bringing back their entire coaching staff next season.

Wells needs to go, period. Hunter would come back for $3M without even blinking for a year. I'd be fine with Trumbo, Hunter, and Trout in the outfield, with Morales at DH. We shoudl pursue Youkaliis for 3B. Bourjos can be first in line as backup. Bring back Ianetta.

For pitching, Santana and Haren and their $30M salaries should go. Lock Greinke up to a CJ Wilson type contract. Clear out Isringhausen and Hawkins. Sign Frieri to a long term deal. I'd be willing to offer Haren a 1 year deal for $5M.

We need to resign hunter, haren, ianetta. trade wells, and maybe morales. so borjous can play of. dont resing izturis or santana. sign youkilis or another third base. sign three good relievers and another quality starter.

The Angels will make significant changes to their roster following a season that included many positive developments before ending in disappointment, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports. The team enters the offseason with a number of top priorities: re-signing free agents Zack Greinke and Torii Hunter, adding at least one more starting pitcher, improving the bullpen and trading Vernon Wells.

The Angels will likely let Dan Haren, Ervin Santana, LaTroy Hawkins, Jason Isringhausen and Maicer Izturis go, DiGiovanna reports. Haren has said he’d consider returning for less than the value of his $15.5MM option. Santana recently suggested he’s prepared for a change if the Angels decline his 2013 option, as expected.

The Angels have “a tremendous interest” in re-signing Hunter, general manager Jerry Dipoto said. The GM confirmed that the Angels would “like to explore” contract talks with the agent for Greinke. Both players have significant leverage after playing well in 2012, but Dipoto pointed out that the Angels have “never been short of resources." Just don’t expect them to use those resources on relief pitchers. Spending lavishly on relievers "is akin to going to Las Vegas and throwing it down on double-zero green," Dipoto said.

So it doesn't look like we'll be going after the top relievers. I suppose that means we'll either go bargain hunting or get relief pitching through trade. I'd still really like for us to get JP Howell, I think he'd be a great addition to the bullpen and would ease some pressure off Scott Downs.

Haren Open To Re-Signing:

The Angels are expected to decline their $15.5MM club option for Dan Haren after the season, so his Angels career may end before long. But the right-hander said he’d consider returning to Anaheim on a cheaper one-year deal, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.

"I'm not looking to break the bank, I'm not looking to sign a Zack Greinke deal," Haren said, referring to the offseason’s top free agent pitcher. "I'm looking for whatever is fair. I'll have to see what happens. Players work hard to get to free agency. I've played nine years, and if I become a free agent, it would be stupid not to take advantage of that."

Haren’s contract includes a $15.5MM club option for 2013 with a $3.5MM buyout. If the Angels decline the 32-year-old’s option, they’ll still be able to make him a qualifying offer and set themselves up for future draft pick compensation.

Haren said part of him “feels a little guilty” for not pitching better, according to DiGiovanna. He posted a 4.33 ERA with 7.2 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9 in 176 2/3 innings over the course of 30 starts in 2012.

I was randomly looking at the list of the most expensive players and I didn't realize that Vernon Wells was the second highest paid player in all of baseball behind only A-Rod in 2012. That's terrible!!

I wonder if we could trade him for Johan Santana? We'd have to probably include a prospect or something, but their contracts are very similar and the Mets need help in the outfield and we need a starting pitcher.